Ru Paul's Drag Race UK star Crystal launches legal action against Laurence Fox for calling him a paedophile - along with Coronation Street actor Nicola Thorp and gay rights campaigner

  • Crystal confirmed he has filed defamation proceedings against the actor 
  • Came after a spat in which he and two other people called Mr Fox a 'racist'
  • Called them 'paedophiles' to prove a point about 'unsubstantiated claims' 
  • Fox has himself admitted that the claims were 'meaningless and baseless' 

Laurence Fox today defended his right to call people 'paedophiles' on Twitter, citing free speech and claiming it was just a 'meaningless and baseless insult' that he made in response to being unfairly smeared as a 'racist' by a drag queen who is now suing him. 

The actor became embroiled in a heated exchange with a number of Twitter users including Ru Paul's Drag Race UK star Crystal, Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp and deputy chair of Stonewall, Simon Blake.

The trio had all called him a 'racist' in tweets replying to his post accusing Sainsbury's of 'promoting racial segregation and discrimination' and promised to boycott the supermarket chain after it promoted Black History Month. 

In response, he tweeted back at each of the trio individually to call them 'paedophiles', saying that he was directing the unsubstantiated slur at them because this was 'equivalent'' to them falsely accused him of racism.  

Crystal - whose real name is Colin Munro - today announced that he was suing Mr Fox for defamation for calling him a paedophile, with the suit naming Mr Blake and Ms Thorp as co-claimants.  

When asked about the defamation case at a manifesto launch today, Mr Fox said, 'I must check my emails, I'm not aware of that' before adding: 'People can call me whatever they want.'

When told it was he who had allegedly called the three claimants paedophiles, he replied: 'I was called a racist.'

Mr Fox added: 'Free speech. You throw meaningless and baseless insults at someone you get a meaningless and baseless insult in return.'

The actor had said at the time of the row: 'Language is powerful. To accuse someone of racism without any evidence whatsoever to back up that accusation is a deep slander. It carries the same stigma and reputation destroying harm as accusing someone of paedophilia.'    

Drag Queen Crystal (pictured) - who was a contestant on the first season of hit show Ru Paul's Drag Race UK - confirmed he has filed defamation proceedings against Laurence Fox
Mr Fox (pictured) at the launch of the Reclaim Party's manifesto for the London Mayoral election

Drag Queen Crystal (left) - who was a contestant on the first season of hit show Ru Paul's Drag Race UK - confirmed he has filed defamation proceedings against Laurence Fox (right)

Mr Fox had accused Sainsbury's of 'promoting racial segregation and discrimination' and promised to boycott the supermarket chain after it promoted Black History Month

Mr Fox had accused Sainsbury's of 'promoting racial segregation and discrimination' and promised to boycott the supermarket chain after it promoted Black History Month 

Mr Munro wrote in response to Mr Fox's tweet: 'Imagine being this proud of being a racist! So cringe'

Mr Munro wrote in response to Mr Fox's tweet: 'Imagine being this proud of being a racist! So cringe'

In response, Mr Fox wrote: 'Says the paedophile'

In response, Mr Fox wrote: 'Says the paedophile'

In a separate thread, Mr Fox found himself in a fiery debate with former Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp after she said Mr Fox was 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist'

In a separate thread, Mr Fox found himself in a fiery debate with former Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp after she said Mr Fox was 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist'

Mr Fox hit back by copying her statement but changing 'racist' for 'paedophile'

Mr Fox hit back by copying her statement but changing 'racist' for 'paedophile'

Mr Blake also weighed in, saying: ''What a mess, what a racist t***''' in comments that he later withdrew

Mr Blake also weighed in, saying: ''What a mess, what a racist t***''' in comments that he later withdrew 

Mr Fox said back, 'Pretty rich coming from a paedophile', prompting Mr Blake to demand he take down the tweet, which he did

Mr Fox said back, 'Pretty rich coming from a paedophile', prompting Mr Blake to demand he take down the tweet, which he did

Oh really? Social media users cast doubt on Fox campaign claim 

Laurence Fox today claimed a Government minister supported his bid for London Mayor - much to the bemusement of his Twitter followers.

The 42-year-old ex-actor - who launched the Reclaim Party to fight the 'culture wars' - today revealed his manifesto. 

Reclaim's policies include abolishing lockdown from the date of the election, removing mask mandates, scrapping low-traffic neighbourhoods and removing 'unnecessary' cycle lanes.

Mr Fox also vowed to defund any schools or institutions 'that seek to undermine our shared culture through critical social justice or critical race theory'.

Laurence Fox today claimed a Government minister supported his bid for London Mayor - much to the bemusement of his Twitter followers

Laurence Fox today claimed a Government minister supported his bid for London Mayor - much to the bemusement of his Twitter followers

In a tweet sent on Wednesday evening, Mr Fox said: 'Got stopped by a man in tower gardens this morning whilst waiting for an interview after the manifesto launch.

''I hope you win.' He said.

''Thank you!' I said.

''Don't quote me on that.' He said 'I'm a government minister!''

But twitter users weren't convinced by Mr Fox's tale.  

One wrote: 'My son used to say stuff like this when he was seven years old.'

Brian Warren sarcastically added: 'I just bumped into the Pope, Brad Pitt and Beyonce who confirmed your story. So exciting!'

Dave shared his own tale, writing: 'Got stopped by a woman in the street this morning after buying a coffee.

''Want to come back to mine?' she said.

''No sorry. I need to do a Sporcle quiz naming every town in Estonia' I said.

''Don't tell anyone.' She said 'My name is Jennifer Lawrence.''

Advertisement

After Sainsbury's announced it was promoting Black History Month, Fox responded, 'Dear @sainsburys I won't be shopping in your supermarket ever again whilst you promote racial segregation and discrimination. I sincerely hope others join me. RT #BoycottSainsburys.' 

Crystal replied to this tweet, writing: 'Imagine being this proud of being a racist. So cringe. Total snowflake behaviour.' 

In response, Mr Fox wrote: 'Says the paedophile'.

Mr Blake also weighed in, saying: ''What a mess, what a racist t***''' in comments that he later withdrew. 

Mr Fox said back, 'Pretty rich coming from a paedophile', prompting Mr Blake to demand he take down the tweet, which he did. 

Meanwhile Ms Thorp had written: 'Any company giving future employment to Laurence Fox, or providing him with a platform, does so with the complete knowledge that he is unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist..'

Mr Fox hit back by copying her statement but changing 'racist' for 'paedophile'.    

Mr Fox founded the Reclaim Party last year to fight the 'culture wars' and today used the launch of his manifesto to defend his right to call people 'paedophiles' online. 

He cited free speech and claimed it is just a 'meaningless and baseless' insult.

At the time of the spat, Mr Munro said Mr Fox had 'seriously defamed' him by calling him a 'paedophile' and said he would launch legal action. 

The drag queen today confirmed that he has 'filed defamation proceedings', adding: 'As you may have seen in the press yesterday, I have filed defamation proceedings against Laurence Fox. 

'My lawyer has advised it would be inappropriate to comment further, but I wanted to publicly acknowledge it. Thanks for your support.'

It comes after Mr Blake on Monday said he too would sue Mr Fox for calling him a paedophile - after the Stonewall deputy leader branded him a 'racist t***'.

Ms Thorp - who called Mr Fox 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist' before being called a 'paedophile by the former actor - is also named as a claimant.

Law firm Patron Law is representing the claimants.

Mr Fox today defended his right to use the term 'paedophiles' at the launch of his Reclaim party manifesto.

Reclaim's policies include abolishing lockdown from the date of the election, removing mask mandates, scrapping low-traffic neighbourhoods and removing 'unnecessary' cycle lanes.

Mr Fox also vowed to defund any schools or institutions 'that seek to undermine our shared culture through critical social justice or critical race theory'.

When asked about the defamation case, Mr Fox said: 'I must check my emails, I'm not aware of that.'

He added: 'People can call me whatever they want.'

Deputy chair of LGBT charity Stonewall Simon Blake (pictured) and Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp are named as claimants

Deputy chair of LGBT charity Stonewall Simon Blake (pictured) and Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp are named as claimants

All three were falsely branded 'paedophiles' by Mr Fox after they called him 'racist'. Pictured: Nicola Thorp

All three were falsely branded 'paedophiles' by Mr Fox after they called him 'racist'. Pictured: Nicola Thorp 

When told it was he who had allegedly called the three claimants paedophiles, he replied: 'I was called a racist.'

Mr Fox added: 'Free speech. You throw meaningless and baseless insults at someone you get a meaningless and baseless insult in return.'

A spokesman for Patron Law, which is representing the three claimants, confirmed that proceedings had been issued at the High Court in London, and said the firm would not be commenting further at this time.

In his speech in front of the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square in London, Mr Fox said: 'A year ago we lent our government our liberty for three short weeks to flatten the curve and now, a year on, they refuse to give back what never belonged to them in the first place.

'There is no reason we are being kept in lockdown, we have been manipulated, frightened and outright lied to by this government, who instead of trusting us to get on with our lives are now flirting with even more authoritarian measures.' 

He criticised the Government for refusing to rule out vaccine passports, and pledged to 'take the politics out of policing'.

'Police will police streets and not tweets,' he said.

The drag queen today confirmed that he has 'filed defamation proceedings' (pictured)

The drag queen today confirmed that he has 'filed defamation proceedings' (pictured) 

Mr Blake earlier tweeted asking Mr Fox to delete the 'untrue' slur. Mr Fox had written, 'Pretty rich coming from a paedophile'

Mr Blake earlier tweeted asking Mr Fox to delete the 'untrue' slur. Mr Fox had written, 'Pretty rich coming from a paedophile' 

Mr Blake said Mr Fox had defamed him and that he was pursuing legal action against him

Mr Blake said Mr Fox had defamed him and that he was pursuing legal action against him

Mr Fox also pledged to build 250,000 new homes and conduct a 'full audit' of green belt land.

'Precious landscapes (will be) preserved for eternity and unattractive scrubland (will be) transformed into beautiful and affordable housing,' he said.

When asked how he was going to implement his policies of defunding schools and academies that teach critical social justice or race theory, he said: 'It's common sense.

'You take the politics out of education, you take the politics out of policing. You say to a teacher 'do your job, teach our children how to think, not what to think'.'

Reclaim has also promised free transport on all London bus and tube services for six months from the election, something critics say would bankrupt the network. 

 

No 'mask mandate', a ban on vaccine passports and a Union Flag outside every school: Laurence Fox launches London mayoral manifesto with attack on 'authoritarian' lockdown rules 

By Tom Pyman For Mailonline 

London Mayoral hopeful Laurence Fox today vowed to ban Covid passports in the capital and promised a no 'mask mandate' as he launched his manifesto ahead of next month's election.

The outspoken actor said he wanted to 'stop the child abuse' and remove compulsory face coverings for pupils in schools, despite the Mayor not having the power to overturn national Covid laws. 

The candidate has also this week promised six months of free rides on buses and tubes in a bid to boost the capital's economy after more than a year in lockdown

The plans would cost Transport for London some £500 million in lost fares, but Mr Fox insists the various other economic benefits it would bring to the city would easily see the money recouped. 

Other pledges included a Union Flag flying outside every school, and a vow to that no woman will have to share a private bathroom or changing space with a man. 

When challenged on how he would implement some of his more radical Covid-related policies without such powers, a spokesman for Mr Fox told MailOnline: 'The Mayor of London has the biggest democratic mandate of any elected politician in Britain.

'If Laurence Fox is elected Mayor of London on a platform to end lockdown now, the PM would have no option but to bow to the will of the people.'

London Mayoral hopeful Laurence Fox today vowed to ban Covid passports in the capital and promised a 'no-mask mandate' as he launched his manifesto

London Mayoral hopeful Laurence Fox today vowed to ban Covid passports in the capital and promised a 'no-mask mandate' as he launched his manifesto

Laurence Fox poses for a selfie with a supporter at the launch of his manifesto for the London Mayoral election

Laurence Fox poses for a selfie with a supporter at the launch of his manifesto for the London Mayoral election

Powers held by the Mayor of London 

The Mayor of London has specific powers and duties and a general power to promote economic, social and environmental improvements in London.

He or she has a duty to set out plans and policies for London covering transport, planning and development, housing, economic development and regeneration, culture health inequalities and a range of environmental issues including climate change and air quality.

A number of other duties are also held relating to culture and tourism, including responsibility for Trafalgar and Parliament Squares.

An annual budget for the Greater London Authority (GLA) and for the GLA Group, which includes Transport for London, The Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade, must also be set.

However, the Mayor does not have the power to change laws.

Advertisement

In his speech in front of the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square in London, Mr Fox said: 'A year ago we lent our government our liberty for three short weeks to flatten the curve and now, a year on, they refuse to give back what never belonged to them in the first place.

'There is no reason we are being kept in lockdown, we have been manipulated, frightened and outright lied to by this government, who instead of trusting us to get on with our lives are now flirting with even more authoritarian measures.'

He criticised the Government for refusing to rule out vaccine passports, and pledged to 'take the politics out of policing'.

'Police will police streets and not tweets,' he said.

Mr Fox also pledged to build 250,000 new homes and conduct a 'full audit' of green belt land.

'Precious landscapes (will be) preserved for eternity and unattractive scrubland (will be) transformed into beautiful and affordable housing,' he said.

When asked how he was going to implement his policies of defunding schools and academies that teach critical social justice or race theory, he said: 'It's common sense.

'You take the politics out of education, you take the politics out of policing. You say to a teacher 'do your job, teach our children how to think, not what to think'.'

Reclaim has also promised free transport on all London bus and tube services for six months from the election, something critics say would bankrupt the network.

In a statement, Reclaim said: 'On paper, free fares would cost around £500 million, but the real cost would be much lower or non-existent because of the boost to the London economy and the resultant surge in tax revenues.'

The outspoken actor, who unveiled his policies in front of a bus with the message 'Free London', said he wanted to 'stop the child abuse' and remove face coverings from pupils in schools

The outspoken actor, who unveiled his policies in front of a bus with the message 'Free London', said he wanted to 'stop the child abuse' and remove face coverings from pupils in schools

Mr Fox today described the Government's handling of the Covid crisis as a series of 'manipulations, fear-mongering and deceptions used to prolong lockdown' and insisted the public should be given the freedom of choice

Mr Fox today described the Government's handling of the Covid crisis as a series of 'manipulations, fear-mongering and deceptions used to prolong lockdown' and insisted the public should be given the freedom of choice 

Fox defends his use of 'paedophiles' as an insult on Twitter 

London mayoral hopeful Laurence Fox used the launch of his manifesto to defend his right to call people 'paedophiles' on Twitter, citing free speech and claiming it is just a 'meaningless and baseless' insult.

The former actor, who founded the Reclaim Party, is being sued by Stonewall trustee Simon Blake, Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp and drag artist Crystal over an online spat in October last year.

Mr Fox called both Mr Blake and the former RuPaul's Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Munro Seymour, 'paedophiles', in an exchange about Sainsbury's decision to celebrate Black History Month.

He used the same label against Ms Thorp in a different thread.

Following a speech to unveil his party's manifesto, the Lewis actor claimed he was unaware of the defamation case, which was filed at the High Court on April 1.

Reclaim's policies include abolishing lockdown from the date of the election, removing mask mandates, scrapping low-traffic neighbourhoods and removing 'unnecessary' cycle lanes.

Mr Fox also vowed to defund any schools or institutions 'that seek to undermine our shared culture through critical social justice or critical race theory'.

When asked about the defamation case, Mr Fox said: 'I must check my emails, I'm not aware of that.'

He added: 'People can call me whatever they want.'

When told it was he who had allegedly called the three claimants paedophiles, he replied: 'I was called a racist.'

Mr Fox added: 'Free speech. You throw meaningless and baseless insults at someone you get a meaningless and baseless insult in return.'

During the incident last year, Mr Fox said he would be boycotting Sainsbury's, accusing it of promoting 'racial segregation and discrimination'.

Mr Blake called Mr Fox a 'racist t**t' but later said he regretted using such language.

A spokesman for Patron Law, which is representing the three claimants, confirmed that proceedings had been issued at the High Court in London, and said the firm would not be commenting further at this time.

Advertisement

Mr Fox today described the Government's handling of the Covid crisis as a series of 'manipulations, fear-mongering and deceptions used to prolong lockdown' and insisted the public should be given the freedom of choice.  

He said: 'There is no reason we have been kept in lockdown. Instead of trusting us to live our lives, the government is now flirting with yet more authoritarian ideas, the very facistic ideas that Winston Churchill stood against, and a whole generation of Brits fought and died for. 

'London will be a Covid passport-free city. There will be no mask mandate in London. Children will not have to wear masks in school. 

'London has a choice. You can either vote for one of the lockdown candidates, or you can vote for freedom, to reclaim your city. 

'London will open fully, finally and permanently on May 6. There will be free transport for 6 months. A helping hand to get you back to work and play, and a helping hand for cafes, pubs, shops and all the enterprise of London. 

'I will build 250,000 homes, a full audit of the greenbelt will take place with our precious landscape preserved for eternity and unattractive scrubland turned into beautiful and affordable housing. 

'I will take the politics out of policing. Petty crime will be dealt with firmly in a New York-style policing strategy to serve as reminder to hardened criminals that London will be a more hostile environment for them.'  

It comes after Mr Fox last week launched a drive-by heckle at Sadiq Khan as he kicked off his bid to take him on in the election.

The 42-year-old actor is standing as a candidate for the Reclaim Party that he set up last year to fight the 'culture wars' taking place in Britain.

Launching his campaign to a crowd in Westminster, Mr Fox said that the current Mayor 'Khan't' be trusted to lead the capital, and that he was 'ashamed to be British'.

He then boarded a 'Free London' branded battle bus before riding to a campaign event the Mayor was holding nearby.

In a high-pitched voice, Mr Fox shouts: 'Alright Sadiqi-wiqi! I'm nicking your house, mate!' as he passes the incumbent mayor.

Mr Fox today attacked London's 'cathedral of wokery' as he pledged to erect hundreds more statues of military heroes across London in response to protests to remove the likes of Winston Churchill's bust last summer.

He also said that he will refuse to take a Covid vaccine until 2023 when monitoring for some of the jabs will be completed.  

His campaign for the May elections will be completely funded by a donation from ex-Tory political donor and financier Jeremy Hosking, who is worth £375million.

Mr Fox has promised to 'unlock London' in May if elected, and said he would help people to 'reclaim their freedom'. 

Arriving at his campaign launch on a bus daubed with the slogan 'Free London', Mr Fox said: 'I am not a politician. I never wanted to be a politician,' before quipping that he 'used' to be an actor. 

Mr Fox has also this week promised six months of free rides on buses and tubes in a bid to boost the capital's economy after more than a year in lockdown

Mr Fox has also this week promised six months of free rides on buses and tubes in a bid to boost the capital's economy after more than a year in lockdown

Laurence Fox leans out from the rear of his battle bus after launching the manifesto for his bid to become the Mayor of London

Laurence Fox leans out from the rear of his battle bus after launching the manifesto for his bid to become the Mayor of London

Laurence Fox arrives before launching his radical Covid-related policies in the capital today

Laurence Fox arrives before launching his radical Covid-related policies in the capital today

London Mayor hopeful Laurence Fox's seven key points in his manifesto pledge  

Travel

  • London will open fully, finally and permanently on May 6th
  • There will be free transport for six months. A helping hand to get people back to work and play and a helping hand for small businesses cafes and coffee shops
  • Scrap the pollution-causing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods that have cut off homes and streets and discriminate against the most vulnerable in society.
  • All unnecessary cycle lanes will be removed.

Housing

  • As Mayor, Fox will build 250,000 houses over his four-year term.
  • A full audit of the green belt will take place. With precious landscapes preserved for eternity and unattractive scrubland transformed into beautiful and affordable housing

Policing 

  • Fox will make London safe again by removing politics from policing.
  • He will end the policing of tweets and focus on real crime in London.
  • Petty crime will be dealt with firmly in a New York-style 'broken windows' policing strategy to serve as a reminder to more serious criminals that London will be a hostile environment for them.

Women

  • No woman will have to share a private bathroom or changing space with a man.
  • There will be three walls and a door between you and any man in London.

Hammersmith bridge

  • The bridge will be opened to pedestrians and cyclists by the end of the year and a full bridge solution implemented by 2024.

Entertainment

  • Every year there will be a Festival of London, where for one day every theatre ticket is free. We need to get the life blood of tourism flowing back into London. 

Heritage

  • A Union Flag will fly outside every school in London. Children will be taught about the good that Britain has done in the past as well as the bad.
  • Any institutions that seek to undermine our shared culture via critical social justice and critical race theory will lose their funding in London. Our culture is a reflection of us all and must be protected with all our collective energy.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.